The Value of Privacy: Part 2 – Wellbeing

Changing one’s space for betterment goes hand in hand with wellbeing. So, to change with the seasons and upcoming Christmas time, we have progressed our logo to the following season… Summer! And speaking of Summer, we move on to Part 2 on ‘The Value of Privacy’…

There’s some truth to the words of Valerie Plame, who said “I think privacy is the last true luxury”, and in part 1 of our foray into the value of privacy we looked at the financial impact of this ‘luxury’.  Not the cost, but the returns that can be accrued from a well-designed and maintained landscape. However, we should cast finances aside for now. The main benefit of any luxury is how it makes us feel, and when it comes to wellbeing the wonders a private landscape can do for us are truly priceless. 

Beautiful hedge planting in Arrowtown

Psychologically speaking, privacy helps us retain our sense of self, and sheltering from the scrutiny and gaze of others allows self-expression. So the comfort found by standing in the garden in the early morning, wearing fluffy slippers and cartoon print pyjamas, sipping on a coffee, is you being you. And that’s a very good thing.

When trees and plants are used to create private landscapes, they also increase a sense of safety and security. We seek and find comfort in the places where we feel safe and secure. Visual privacy in the garden is very much one of those places and it allows us to properly relax and decompress. Stopping to smell the roses is quite wonderful but even better when you are in the company of only the birds and bees (they can stay at a respectful distance of course). In adoration of visual privacy, we acknowledge the…

CARPINUS betulus – English Hornbeam

Related to the beech tree with a similar leaf shape and turning to a classic copper and golden glow in Autumn. This fast-growing deciduous tree grows to an impressive one to one and half metres per year and easily trained and tamed with some pruning and shaping.

• Deciduous hornbeam
• Suitable for shaping and hedging, pleaching, group planting or screening
• Will grow up to 8m

CARPINUS betulus English Hornbeam 4/5lt container 1-1.2m+

CARPINUS betulus – English Hornbeam 4/5lt container 1-1.2m+ (3+ year old)

CARPINUS betulus English Hornbeam

CARPINUS betulus – English Hornbeam 80lt container 3-3.5m (8+ year old)
CARPINUS betulus – English Hornbeam 135lt container 4-4.5m (10+ year old)

*Note all sizes included above in catalogue are taken from TOP of rootball (so height will be planted height)]

So, what about our relationship with nature – being calm and quiet amongst the trees, taking in the sights and sounds of nature and letting it work its magic to relax and boost your wellbeing. You simply turn off devices and slow down. Be sure to keep your eyes open though. The colours of nature are full of shades of green and blues which studies have proven to be relaxing. So, this brings us to one of our top sellers, the…

PRUNUS lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel

With glazed deep dark green leaves that shimmer in the Summer sun, this dense bushy Portuguese Laurel bellows to be formalised into a hedge or screen. With regular pruning and watering. A little love goes a long way in becoming a lush, thick and floriferous hedge.

• Hardy, versatile evergreen
• Suitable for Formal hedging and screening
• Can grow up to 5×3 metres

Portuguese Laurel

PRUNUS lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel 3lt container 50-60cm (2+ year old)
PRUNUS lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel 6/8lt container 80cm-1m (3+ year old)
PRUNUS lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel 12lt container 1-1.2m (4+ year old)
PRUNUS lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel 25/35lt container 1.4-1.6m+ (5-6+ year old)

PRUNUS lusitanica – Portuguese Laurel 80lt container 1.7-1.8m+ (7-8+ year old) – all sold but more coming available

*Note all sizes included above in catalogue are taken from TOP of rootball (so height will be planted height)

Prunus lusitanica MATAKAURI
Prunus lusitanica CENTRAL OTAGO

The above all speaks in general terms of how privacy and nature can combine to help improve your wellbeing. But we can quantify the effects too. Studies have shown how they can help regulate blood pressure, reduce blood glucose, provide relief from anxiety and depression, and even improve cardiovascular function.

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Testimonial from Michaela from Gisborne
Harry's Tree Care Tips for Summer watering
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